Bahay, Alas hit late triples as Ateneo holds off NU, 69-65, in UAAP Season 89

Ateneo de Manila University came from behind to beat National University 69-65 on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. Guards Jared Bahay and Kieffer Alas made key three-pointers in the final two minutes of the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball game, according to Edge Davao.

The Blue Eagles trailed by three inside the last two minutes. Bahay then hit back-to-back triples to give Ateneo a 65-62 lead, and Alas added another three-pointer with 35 seconds left. The shots were part of a 9-0 run that decided the game.

NU did not fold. Mac Alfanta hit a three with 24 seconds remaining to cut the gap to 68-65. The Bulldogs got the ball back after a turnover by Shawn Tuano, but Reinhard Jumamoy's attempt to tie the game missed with 4.5 seconds left. Alas then made a free throw to seal the win.

Alas led Ateneo with 18 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Bahay, a guard from Cebu, added 16 points, including four three-pointers, plus three rebounds and two steals. "We just trusted our shots," Bahay said.

Ateneo team manager Nico Salva praised the pair. "We all know that Jared and Kieffer are winners, are big-time players, and we're fortunate that they were able to deliver today," he said.

Ateneo's defence also made a difference. The Blue Eagles forced 21 NU turnovers and turned them into 20 points, 15 of them on fast breaks.

For NU, Mo Diassana had 17 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks. Jumamoy scored 16 points with six rebounds, six assists and two steals, but he also committed five turnovers. Kenshin Padrones scored eight points, while PJ Palacielo, Alfanta, Paul Francisco and Tebol Garcia added six each.

The win was Ateneo's second in a row in the second round and lifted the team to 5-4, good for fourth place. NU fell to 6-3. The game was tied 53-53 after three quarters.